Budget
The NSW Government handed down its 2007/08 budget last week.
In summary, the NSWFB budget for 2007/08 is $544.5 million, an increase
of 4.1 percent, which largely is to take into account the current
Award increments. Total expenses in 2007/08 are budgeted to be $504.4
million, an increase of 5.3 per cent on the previous year, and the
capital works budget for 2007/08 is $40.1 million however, in addition,
funds for the new Class 3 Pumper program are rolling over to 2007/08
due to some manufacturing delays.
RFS Association Conference
Last weekend I attended the RFSA Annual Conference in Mudgee.
Minister for Emergency Services Nathan Rees opened the conference
and reaffirmed the Government?s commitment to maintaining the RFS
and NSWFB as separate agencies. As the first speaker, I had the opportunity
to talk to 450 members of the RFS and other emergency services about
the importance of our strong and effective working relationships.
I outlined some of the history of our organisations - the good and
the bad ? including some of the historical tensions, with a view to
clearing the air and cementing the openness of our current relationship.
I also talked about the impact global warming would have on the fire
services, including a 50-100% increase in very high and extreme bushfire
days, and the pressure an ageing population would place on funding,
volunteers and all government services in the future, meaning that
it is imperative that the state?s two fire services work closely together.
On Saturday I visited 387 Station Mudgee and met the Captain, Deputy
Captain and crew.
New Police Commissioner announced
This week the NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione was announced
as the successor to Ken Moroney as Commissioner on 1 September when
Mr Moroney retires. Mr Scipione is a great supporter of the NSWFB
and I look forward to continuing our close working relationship. I
will be representing the NSWFB at Commissioner Moroney?s retirement
function in August, and he will be greatly missed.
New NSWFB website launched
The new-look NSWFB website went live this week. The site
contains the same comprehensive content but with some new features
including photo of the week, a search function for content on the
site, easy to use navigation and the ability to locate your nearest
fire station by suburb or postcode. The site is more user-friendly
and will be an even better resource for the community. I encourage
you to visit the site and familiarise yourself with the new features.
The site redesign also complies with the Government Webstyle Directive,
which aims to apply a common ?look and feel? across all NSW Government
public websites and ensure the usability and accessibility of information.
Winter fire safety campaign for July
The July fire safety campaign was launched this week with
Winter Fire Safety as the topic. With two fatal house fires already
this month and a series of other close calls around the state, it
is particularly important that we get fire safety messages out to
the community. I encourage all stations to complete the media release
template and send the release out to your local media. It is also
an opportunity to contact local schools about running a Fire ED session
with the younger students. For further information on the July fire
safety campaign, see the intranet story.
AAMI Firescreen Index
This week, insurer AAMI released its annual survey on fire
behaviour called the Firescreen Index. Some of the results were disturbing.
According to the survey, one in four parents did not think that their
children would know what to do if there was a fire in the home. While
it was encouraging to hear that 84% of parents had talked to their
children about the dangers of fire, one in 10 parents admitted allowing
their children to cook without supervision. There is still work to
be done ? both with adults and children ? to raise awareness about
fire prevention and what to do in an emergency. I urge you to continue
to work with your local community to promote important safety messages
about smoke alarms, escape plans and general fire prevention.
SO Graduation
I would like to congratulate the 20 Leading Firefighters
who yesterday graduated from the SOPP and were promoted to the rank
of Station Officer. Their skills, knowledge and experience will be
a great asset to the NSWFB and the communities they will protect.
Matraville Fire Station
On Monday I will be attending the official opening of the
refurbished Matraville Fire Station with the Minister for Emergency
Services, Nathan Rees. I look forward to meeting with the crew at
Matraville and inspecting the station's extensions, including a new
second storey and response pole.
Retirements
Retirements are always a bitter sweet occasion. We're sad
to see a long-time colleague leave but we wish them all the best for
the future. There are two fire officers who are leaving us who combined
have served the NSWFB for almost 80 years. Tomorrow is the last day
for Bankstown's longest serving officer, SO Peter Skarski, who has
been at the station for 24 years and has racked up a total of 39 years
service. Next week, on 5 July, Dubbo farewells SO Bill Clifford, who
retires after more than 40 years of service to the NSWFB. Bill was
recently awarded an AFSM in the Queen's Birthday Honours. I wish both
Peter and Bill a happy retirement.
Public Sector Awards
Nominations are now open for the Premier's Public Sector
Awards. If you have been involved in or know of a NSWFB project, large
or small, which you think would be deserving then I encourage you
to contact Paul Johnston, Manager Performance Planning & Evaluation,
by 7 July. Strategy and Planning Division will collate all nominations
for the NSWFB's submission. This year, award categories are aligned
with the NSW State Plan and all nominations should fit into one of
the following categories: Rights, Respect and Responsibility, Delivering
Better Service, Fairness and Opportunity, Growing Prosperity Across
NSW, Environment for Living, Delivering the Plan or Delivering Locally.
The closing date for award submissions is 30 July. For more information
visit the Department of Premer's and Cabinet's website www.premiers.nsw.gov.au.
The 2007 Australian Safer Communities Awards is also open for entries.
The awards seek to recognise best practice and innovation by the emergency
sector, business, local government and the community which lead to
safer communities. Projects nominated can include pre-disaster and
preparedness programs as well as post-disaster response and recovery.
Please contact Paul Johnston, Manager Performance Planning & Evaluation
to discuss any nominations. Entries close 3 August 2007.
Fire Hose Appeal
We've had a request from Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast
for redundant 70mm hose. The hose will be used to make toys and hammocks
for the zoo's big cats and chimpanzees as well as an associated sanctuary
in Kenya. If your station has any condemned 70mm hose please contact
Wayne King, Manager Business Development, Training College Alexandria
on 9318 4840 or email wayne.king@fire.nsw.gov.au.
New Digital Radio Equipment
The roll out of new digital radio equipment for stations
and vehicles has begun with the existing MCS2000 being replaced by
the XTL5000 from Motorola. A majority of regional stations have already
received the new equipment and metropolitan stations will be receiving
their equipment over the next few months. Complete training manuals
and a DVD will be distributed. For more information read the story
on the intranet.
Overseas tragedies
It was with sadness that we heard of the death of nine firefighters
in Charleston, South Carolina on 19 June when the roof of a factory
collapsed on them during a fire. We also note the commitment of more
than 1900 firefighters battling raging bush fires near California's
Lake Tahoe which has already destroyed more than 200 homes. Our thoughts
are with the firefighters, their families and affected communities
who are dealing with these tragedies.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that 405 stn will
be changing to the 10/14 roster July 1st 2007?
Response: No.
Rumour: Is it true that due to the Scania vehicles
not being ready for the November deadline the Brigade is going to
abandon the tender process and look elsewhere?
Response: Definitely not true
General comment: Please be aware of the often-repeated
rules for rumour mill. Items that attack individuals, are discriminatory,
defamatory or otherwise inappropriate will be placed in the Commish?s
?round filing cabinet? (i.e. the bin).
INCIDENTS
444 Singleton and 392 Muswellbrook attend hazmat incident on Whittingham
property
Chooks on the run in Aberdeen
Snowfall in Oberon cuts roads and puts emergency services on standby
EVENTS
New fact sheet to raise awareness about portable fire extinguishers
NSWFB supports Kidane Mehret Children?s Home - Ethiopia
236 Braidwood look for new recruits
Combined Hazmat drill
NSWFB supports Red Nose Day
Changes to military leave application process to take effect from
1 July 2007
COMMISH’S CORNER
Commissioner’s e-mail: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Cora Sarmiento, Commish’s PA: 9265 2930
PACSU: fax 9265 2882
Commish’s Corner Rumour Mill: 9265 2627
To contribute a story to the intranet, please contact Public
Affairs Officers: (West) 9265 2613, (South) 9265 2802 or
(North) 9265 2631